Panchmukhi Ganesha and Meaning

Panchmukhi Ganesha

Panchmukhi Ganesha is a representation of Lord Ganesh with five faces. “Panch” literally means “Five” and “Mukhi” means “Faced”. Each of the faces of Panchamukhi Ganesha faces a different direction and hence the name.

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Panchmukhi Ganesha

Panchamugha Ganesha is regarded as an embodiment of all potencies. Each head of panchamukha Ganesh symbolizes the Pancha Koshas or five sheaths in the subtle anatomy of human beings. They are the Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya, and Anandamaya.

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Annamaya Kosha

This is the food sheath and corresponds roughly to the physical body.

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Pranamaya Kosha

This is the vital energy and it represents the subtle body, nadis, chakras and kundalini.

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Manomaya Kosha

This is the mental sheath which represents the mind and the organs of perception.

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Vijnanamaya Kosha

This is the wisdom sheath which represents vijnana, or intellect, the talent which discriminates, determines or wills.

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Anandamaya Kosha

This is the cosmic bless sheath and represents the eternal center of consciousness.

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Panchmukhi Ganesha Five Head Ganesh

Worshiping Panchamukhi Ganapati will help a devotee to attain Anandamaya Kosha, or Sat-Chit-Ananda, the Pure Consciousness. It is believed that placing Panchamukhi Vinayaka towards east in one’s home or office would help to ward of evils and bring prosperity.